Last year’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act has launched a feeding frenzy among agencies, each gunning for the head of the table as regulatory plans for the state’s groundwater basins are formed over the next seven years.
At a Butte County Water Commission meeting Wednesday, commissioners learned about minor reforms. Groundwater basin boundaries were updated and deadlines extended to encourage more agencies to participate.
Each basin and sub-basin is distinct, but also interconnected. That means more collaboration. Christina Buck is a hydrologist and a water resource scientist for Butte County.
“All of the basin boundaries are going to need to account for groundwater flows across those boundaries no matter where those boundaries end up landing," Buck said.
In Butte County, where distinct water basins straddle several jurisdictions, it’s becoming obvious that a large number of interests will be crafting policy. Butte County, along with the four irrigation districts operating within it, are each seeking to be named official Groundwater Sustainability Agencies. Municipalities could too. Officials with Butte College are scheduled to consider throwing their hat in the ring later this month.
Despite the variety of interests, Vickie Newlin, assistant director of the Department of Water and Resource Conservation, is confident that a plan can be shaped harmoniously.
“I think people really want to do the right thing," Newlin said.
She said the more her department talks to people the more new ideas are tossed around.
Plans for achieving groundwater sustainability are due by 2022. Those plans must be implemented no later than 2042.
